Political analyst Prof Macharia Munene has observed that there is a scheme to block Deputy President William Ruto from being close to President Uhuru Kenyatta and consequently out of Mt Kenya's grip.
Munene claimed close associates of President Uhuru Kenyatta and some state operatives were out to ensure the DP becomes unpopular in the populous region.
"Politicians close to President Uhuru Kenyatta have come out openly attacking Ruto in a manner that suggests they are determined to uproot him from the region," he said.
"The DP's enemies, it is true, do not want him anywhere near the President and are doing everything they can to ensure Ruto's inroads in Mt Kenya do not bear fruit," he wrote in his column published by the Star, Saturday.
While noting Ruto has done fairly well in entrenching himself in Mt Kenya, Munene however, warned the planners of his downfall that their plot could backfire, since there were also people working very hard to make the DP's region's political kingpin.
"They could be doing all manner of scheming to prepare the ground to turn hostile against Ruto. However, they must realise that there is equally a number of politicians from the region who have developed a cordial working relationship with the DP and they may want to work even harder to endear him to region," he said.
The university lecturer noted it is now two-and-half years to the 2022 General Election and a lot could happen, adding whether Ruto's retains control of the region or not, it will all depend on his strategy.
"The ground may shift in favour of Ruto or against him. It is all about how the DP plays his cards during the remaining time. He may entrench himself deeper or get uprooted. It is all about how he executes his plans as the campaigns take shape," Munene stated.